Spacer



Patented Mar. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUGUST C. SHERWAN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO TESTING-HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION F PENNSYLVANIA SPACER Application filed September 23, 1927.

My invention relates to concrete-reinforclng structures and has particular relation to spacers for supporting a reinforcing cage and spacing it with relation to the mold inA which it is placed.

My device may be used for spacing any reinforcing structure above or away from the form in which the concrete is laid but the modification described is particularly applicable for use in spacing the reinforcing cage of a concrete pole made by the centrifugal spinning process.

An object of my invention, therefore, is to provide means for spacing the reinforcing cage away from the wall of the mold used in making concrete poles according to the spinning process.

Another obj ect of my invention is to provide a spacer which is not noticeable on the 2o surface of a finished concrete pole and which does not discolor the pole.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device for spacing reinforcing cages equally distant from the surface of the finished concrete poles, so that an equal thickness of concrete may be obtained.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a spacer which is low in cost of manufacture and which may be applied with a minimum amount of labor.

In the drawing, in which like figures indicate like parts,

Figure lis a sectional view of a mold and a reinforcing cage in which my spacer is utilized for spacing the cage away from the walls of the mold;

Fig. 2 is a view, in end elevation, of a spacer fastened to the reinforcing cage at the junction of a reinforcing rod and the wrapping wire; and

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation,

Fig. 4 is a view, in end elevation, and

Fig. 5 is another view, in side elevation, of the spacer.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, the reinforcing cage generally used for concrete poles manufactured according to the centrifugal spinning method comprises longitudinal rods 1, which extend the entire length of the finished Concrete pole, and a spirally wound Serial No. 221,410.

wrapping of iron wire 2, which is fastened to the rods by means of ties 3 of small iron wire.

A mold 4 is used to form the pole and -mold it into the desired sha-pe. Itis necessary that the reinforcing cage be equally spaced away from all points on the inside wall of the mold in order that there may be no unbalanced centrifugal forces during the spinning process and also that there may be a uniform thickness of cement between the reinforcing cage and the surface of the pole.

The surface of the finished concrete pole usually comprises small colored granite pebbles so as to provide a mottled surface pleasing to the eye. My spacer is preferably sharpened at the end adjacent the mold, so that the end 5 of the spacer appears on the surface of the concrete pole as a small nonrusting point, which is not noticeable on the mottled surface of the finished pole.

y I prefer to use copper wire for my spacer, since, if iron wire were used, the exposed end would rust and thus cause discoloration of the surface of the pole; but, with a copper spacer, although oxidation may take place, the action is not sufficient to cause discoloration of the surface of the pole.

The spacer is made of a single piece of copper wire comprising a straight portion 6 for spacing the cage away from the mold and a loop portion 7 for engaging the parts of the cage. The loop portion comprises a single loop 8 adapted to engage the spirally wound wire of the reinforcing cage on one side of the longitudinal rod and a portion of a second loop 9, situated in a plane at about 45 with reference to the irst-named loop, which is adapted to engage the spirallywound wrapping of the reinforcing cage on the other side of the longitudinal rod. A shorter straight portion 11 of the wire is provided, and, when the spacer has been engaged with the reinforcing cage, this short portion of the spacer may be bent downwardly to tightly secure the spacer to the reinforcing cage.

My spacer provides means for spacing the reinforcing cage away from the mold so that the outer portion of the concrete pole may be formed of a practically solid body of concrete which is not easily broken or chipped away. The spacer may be easily and quickly applied and, when applied, aids in engaging the reinforcing rods with the wire of the spiral wrapping.

Although I have described a specific embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

l claim as my invention:

1. A spacer for spacing a reinforcing frame in a mold and adapted to engage the frame at the junction of the longitudinal and transverse members thereof, said spacer comprising a single straight end portion to space the frame from the mold and a deformed helical portion comprising two loop portions which encircle the transverse member at opposite points of the longitudinal member.

2. Means for spacing a reinforcing frame in a mold. said frame comprising longitudinally and laterally disposed intersecting members, said means comprising a plurality of spacers to engage the frame at the junctions of the intersecting members and comprising single end portions to space the frame from the mold and deformed helical portions severally comprising two loops which encircle onel of the intersecting members at opposite points of the other member.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 16th day of Septembei, 1927.

AUGUST C. SHERWAN. 

